The Telegraph blames France of holding Macedonia hostage and blocking its EU accession in order to promote its own position for a deeper, better integrated Union before any further enlargement.
The French have shrunk our carrot. This is a slap in the face of “North Macedonia” which has done everything right, an EU diplomat told the Telegraph after France led the resistance against opening accession talks with Macedonia this summer.
The paper informs that Macedonia signed the Prespa treaty in order to end the long lasting Greek veto against its EU accession, only to face opposition from much larger France. Although other countries cited issues as well, and Germany delayed the decision making because of the procedure required in its Bundestag, France is seen as the main opponent and its diplomats have cited a strategic decision to deepen EU integration first, and enlarge later. French President Macron demands depeer integration in the areas of finance and joint budgeting before he will allow adding new countries into the EU.
It’s unclear to what extent British diplomatic and media initiatives to enlarge the EU help convince France to back down, or are maybe having a counter-effect. Comments from a blunt, recently retired top French diplomat clearly show that the British calls are viewed warily in Paris.
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